PAUL WALSH is cheekily warning Manchester United that lightning could strike twice at Old Trafford.

Walsh was a brilliant little striker who was idolised by the supporters of both Portsmouth and Manchester City in his playing career.

He earned his é700,000 transfer from the south coast to Maine Road in March 1994 largely on the strength of the two goals he scored at Old Trafford weeks earlier to produce a shock draw against the mighty Reds in the Worthington Cup.

And Walsh is predicting that the cavalier approach adopted by Portsmouth boss Jim Smith that day which took the two sides back for a replay at Fratton Park will be exactly the same tactics which current Pompey boss Harry Redknapp will deploy in tomorrow's (Saturday) third round FA Cup tie at the Theatre of Dreams.

"Jim is working with Harry at Fratton Park and he is sure to tell him how we approached that Worthington Cup tie back in '94," says Walsh.

Make a game of it

"We thought it was pointless going to Old Trafford and trying to contain United. If we had sat back and defended they would probably have torn us to pieces.

"United are the hot favourites tomorrow, just as they were against Pompey in that Worthington Cup tie.

"But make no mistake about it, United will know they've been in a game at the end of 90 minutes.

Walsh had special praise for Paul Merson, who has bene in inspirational form this season.

"They are not a one-man team by any means but there is no doubt that the big gem in Harry Redknapp's crown is Paul Merson," he said.

"Merse has been brilliant this season. He still oozes quality and I've looked at him at times this season pulling all the strings and wondered what he's doing in the First Division.

Premiership class

"Without a shadow of a doubt, Paul could still hold his own easily in the Premiership, and if he's allowed time on the ball at Old Trafford he could cause United all sorts of problems.

"He hasn't played in many games over the Christmas period after picking up an injury against Sheffield Wednesday bit I think that has been a case of Harry wrapping him up in cotton wool to make sure he was fit for the FA Cup.

"But there are other Pompey players who United will have to keep an eye on tomorrow.

"Getting Steve Stone from Aston Villa has given the side a lot more threat down the right-hand side, and there is also a young left-wing back, Matthew Taylor, who is going to make a big name for himself.

"The Portsmouth lads won't be overawed at the prospect of playing before a near 70,000 crowd in the best stadium in the country, I can promise you that."